Sealing assembly with improved gasket

ABSTRACT

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an assembly for sealing a rigid pipe, a furnace, and a gasket for use in an HVAC fluid conduit. Some embodiments include a furnace with an inducer blower drawing combustion air through the furnace, and the assembly is used to connect one or more flue conduit(s) and an exhaust pipe. In one embodiment, the gasket used in the assembly includes a tubular body, at least a portion of which is engaged along an inner surface of the fluid conduit, a rim extending outwardly from a tubular body end, and two or more ears extending from the rim, wherein the ears are spaced apart from the tubular body and extend in substantially the same direction as the tubular body. The ears further include a first rib located proximate a distal end of the ear.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an improved sealing assemblyutilizing a gasket for use in joining fluid conduits, potentiallyconduits for use in an HVAC device.

BACKGROUND

Various sealing assemblies for joining conduit pipes exist, and many ofthese assemblies utilize gasket designs. These designs often focus onproviding a seal at one or more locations while securing pipes together.However, problems exist with these designs, particularly in the unsealedconfiguration. For example, gaskets may only be designed to mate with aparticular area or surface requiring sealing, and as a result, they maybe loosely or awkwardly configured in a given sealing assembly prior toinstallation.

This issue is prevalent in sealing assemblies used in HVAC devices,particularly exhaust assemblies for gas-fired furnaces that utilize amale to female pipe connection. In these designs, a gasket may only beloosely arranged within a given pipe prior to installation, and thegasket may become dislodged and/or lost during shipping. In addition,these assemblies are typically coupled and uncoupled at least once priorto final installation. This often results in the male pipe pushing thegasket into the female pipe causing further challenges, and potentially,if not identified, significant harm to the operation of the underlyingHVAC system.

As a result, there exists a need for an improved sealing assembly, whichis able to accomplish the significant sealing requirements of a complexjoint, while also allowing for efficient packaging and transportation inan uninstalled configuration. The sealing assembly should also be ableto be coupled and uncoupled prior to final installation with a decreasedrisk of being dislodged.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a sealing assembly designed toovercome one or more of these existing issues. This assembly utilizes animproved gasket configured to interact with a fluid conduit and/or apipe clamp to address these deficiencies in the prior art.

The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the followingexample implementations.

Some example implementations provide a sealing apparatus, comprising: afluid conduit comprising a first fluid conduit end and a second fluidconduit end; a gasket engaged with the first fluid conduit end, thegasket comprising: a tubular body, at least a portion of which isengaged along an inner surface of the fluid conduit; a rim extendingoutwardly from a first tubular body end, wherein a portion of the rimabuts the first fluid conduit end; and two or more ears extending fromthe rim in the same direction as the tubular body and spaced therefrom;wherein each of the ears further comprises a first rib located proximatea distal end of the ear; and a pipe clamp engaged with an outer surfaceof the ears to secure the gasket to the fluid conduit.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the fluid conduit is an exhaust conduit configured to beused in a furnace.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the exhaust conduit is coupled to an inducer blowerwithin the furnace.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the rim extends substantially perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the tubular body, the ears extend substantially perpendicularlyfrom the rim and substantially parallel to the tubular body, and thefirst rib of each ear extends substantially perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the ear.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the ears extend substantially the same distance from therim as the tubular body.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the ears are tapered such that the width of each earcontinuously narrows from the rim to the distal end of the ear.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the tubular body comprises an inner lip extendinginwardly from a second tubular body end of the tubular body.

In some example implementations of the sealing apparatus of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the gasket comprises a deformable elastic material ratedfor temperatures at least as great as 135° C.

Some example implementations provide a furnace, comprising: a burner, aheat exchanger, a blower configured to move combustion air through theheat exchanger; and an exhaust assembly in fluid communication with, anddownstream of, the blower, the exhaust assembly comprising: a flue pipecomprising a flue pipe inlet end and a flue pipe outlet end; an exhaustconduit comprising an exhaust conduit inlet end and an exhaust conduitoutlet end, the exhaust conduit formed from a substantially rigidmaterial suitable for supporting the weight of the flue pipe; a gasketengaged proximate to the exhaust conduit outlet end of the exhaustconduit and configured to form a seal between the exhaust conduit andthe flue pipe, and a pipe clamp configured to secure the exhaust conduitaround the flue pipe, wherein the gasket further comprises: a tubularbody, wherein at least a portion of the tubular body is engaged with aninner surface of the exhaust conduit and a portion of the tubular bodyis engaged with an outer surface of the flue pipe; a rim extendingoutwardly from a first tubular body end, wherein a portion of the rimsurface abuts the exhaust conduit outlet end; and two or more earsextending from the rim along an outer surface of the exhaust conduit,wherein each of the ears further comprises a first rib located proximatea distal end of the ear; and wherein the pipe clamp is engaged with anouter surface of the ears to secure the gasket to the exhaust conduit.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, an inner surface of the tubular body comprises an innerlip extending inwardly from a second tubular body end of the tubularbody.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the rim extends substantially perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the tubular body, the ears extend substantially perpendicularlyfrom the rim and substantially parallel to the tubular body, and thefirst rib of each ear extends substantially perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the ear.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the ears extend substantially the same distance from therim as the tubular body.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the ears are tapered such that the width of each earcontinuously narrows from the rim to the distal end of the ear.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the pipe clamp applies a first force to retain thegasket on the exhaust conduit and the pipe clamp applies a second forceto maintain the seal between exhaust conduit and the flue pipe, thesecond force being greater than the first force.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the pipe clamp comprises a visual indictor that providesan indication of the force applied by the pipe clamp.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the exhaust conduit further comprises: a first conduitprotrusion extending from the outer surface of the exhaust conduit,wherein the first conduit protrusion is located a first distance fromthe exhaust conduit outlet end, and wherein the ears extend a seconddistance from the rim and the second distance is equal to or greaterthan the first distance, and wherein at least one ear is engaged withthe first conduit protrusion.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the first conduit protrusion extends circumferentiallyaround the outer surface of the fluid conduit.

In some example implementations of the furnace of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, further comprising a second conduit protrusion extendingfrom the outer surface of the fluid conduit and aligned axially with thefirst conduit protrusion, wherein the second conduit protrusion islocated proximate to the exhaust conduit outlet end.

Some example implementations provide a gasket for use in an HVAC fluidconduit comprising: a tubular body, at least a portion of which isconfigured to be engaged along an inner surface of the fluid conduit; arim extending outwardly from a tubular body end; and two or more earsextending from the rim in the same direction as the tubular body andspaced therefrom, wherein each of the ears further comprises a first riblocated proximate a distal end of the ear.

In some example implementations of the gasket of any exampleimplementation, or any combination of any preceding exampleimplementation, the rim extends substantially perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the extended inner ring, the ears extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the rim and substantially parallel to the tubularbody, and the first rib of each ear extends substantiallyperpendicularly outwardly from the ear.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from a reading of the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly describedbelow. The disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, ormore of the above-noted embodiments as well as combinations of any two,three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure,regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combinedin a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intendedto be read holistically such that any separable features or elements ofthe disclosed disclosure, in any of its various aspects and embodiments,should be viewed as intended to be combinable unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE(S)

In order to assist the understanding of aspects of the disclosure,reference will now be made to the appended drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are provided by way of exampleto assist in the understanding of aspects of the disclosure, and shouldnot be construed as limiting the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a furnace utilizing a sealing assembly, thefurnace located in a structure, according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a close-up schematic of a furnace utilizing a sealingassembly, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of various components of a furnace, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of various components of a furnace, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side illustration of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an illustration of a gasket from another angle, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is an illustration of a gasket from another angle, according toan example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a gasket within a fluid conduit, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is an illustration of a gasket within a fluid conduit with apipe clamp, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a gasket within a fluid conduit with apipe clamp from another angle, according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a section view of a sealing assembly, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a section view of a joint with a sealing assembly, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded illustration of a fluid conduit, a gasket, and apipe clamp, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10A is an is an angled view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B is a front view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10C is a rear view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10D is a top view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10E is a bottom view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10F is a left side view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10G is a right side view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A is an is an angled view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B is a front view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 11C is a rear view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 11D is a top view of a gasket, according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 11E is a bottom view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11F is a left side view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11G is a right side view of a gasket, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, inwhich some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown.Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theimplementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementationsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart.

For example, unless specified otherwise or clear from context,references to first, second or the like should not be construed to implya particular order. A feature described as being above another feature(unless specified otherwise or clear from context) may instead be below,and vice versa; and similarly, features described as being to the leftof another feature may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also,while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values,geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one ormore if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account foracceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineeringtolerances or the like.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, the“or” of a set of operands is the “inclusive or” and thereby true if andonly if one or more of the operands is true, as opposed to the“exclusive or” which is false when all of the operands are true. Thus,for example, “[A] or [B]” is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, orif both [A] and [B] are true. Further, the articles “a” and “an” mean“one or more,” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to bedirected to a singular form. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

As used herein, the terms “bottom,” “top,” “upper,” “lower,” “upward,”“downward,” “rightward,” “leftward,” “interior,” “exterior,” and/orsimilar terms are used for ease of explanation and refer generally tothe position of certain components or portions of the components ofembodiments of the described disclosure in the installed configuration(e.g., in an operational configuration, such as located in a fluidconduit and/or HVAC devices). It is understood that such terms are notused in any absolute sense.

Example implementations of the present disclosure relate generally to animproved gasket and sealing joint design for use with a fluid conduit,potentially a fluid conduit used in an HVAC device. Exampleimplementations will be primarily described in conjunction with furnacesused in HVAC applications, but it should be understood that exampleimplementations may be utilized in conjunction with a variety of otherapplications. For example, other HVAC devices include but are notlimited to indoor units, outdoor units, heaters (electric or otherwise),boilers as well as other devices generally including water heaters,kitchen appliances, and the like may utilize the assembly describedherein.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sealingassembly capable of sealing a fluid conduit joint as well as theinventive components of this assembly. This assembly may include animproved gasket with additional features such as ears, ribs, and/orrims. The assembly may further include a pipe clamp. In addition, insome embodiments, the assembly may also utilize various featuresassociated with one or more of the fluid conduits being joined. Each ofthese components are described in more detail below.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show example embodiments of the present assembly beingutilized in a furnace 200. FIG. 1 shows a sealing assembly 100 utilizedin a furnace 200 located within a structure, such as a residence. FIG. 2shows a close up of two sealing assemblies 100 located within thefurnace 200. Although in both of these figures two sealing assemblies100 are shown, in other embodiments any number of sealing assemblies maybe used, including as few as one sealing assembly. Furnace 100 mayinclude an exhaust assembly 207 that directs combustion air from furnace200 to a given location. In the depicted embodiments, the furnace 100includes an exhaust assembly 207 that includes one sealing assembly 100connecting a draft inducer 205 to an exhaust conduit 210 within thefurnace 200, and another sealing assembly 100 that connects the exhaustconduit 210 to a flue pipe 215. In other embodiments, the exhaustassembly may include more or less components than those shown in FIGS. 1and 2 . In the depicted embodiments, the exhaust conduit 210 includes anexhaust conduit inlet end 212 and an exhaust conduit outlet end 214. Inthe depicted embodiments, one sealing assembly 100 connects the draftinducer 205 to the exhaust conduit inlet end 212. The other sealingassembly 100 connects the exhaust conduit outlet end 214 to the fluepipe 215 at the flue pipe inlet end 217. FIG. 1 shows the flue pipe 215extending through the roof and terminating outside the structure, and inthis embodiment, the flue pipe outlet end 219 directs the combustion airto the outside.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , embodiments of a gas-fired furnace 200are shown that may utilize the sealing assembly disclosed in the presentapplication. As discussed herein, a furnace (e.g., furnace 200) may bereferred to as being “gas-fired”, where the “gas-fired” furnace isconfigured to be in fluid communication with a gas supply forthermodynamic heat transfer. In some embodiments, furnace 200 maycomprise components of an HVAC system that includes an indoor unitcomprising furnace 200 and an indoor refrigerant heat exchanger orevaporator, an outdoor unit comprising an outdoor fan and an outdoorrefrigerant heat exchanger or condenser, and a refrigerant loopextending between the indoor and outdoor refrigerant heat exchangers.Furnace 200 may be configured as an indoor furnace that providesconditioned fluid, often air, to a comfort zone of an indoor space.However, in general, the components of furnace 200 may be equallyemployed in an outdoor or weatherized furnace to condition an interiorspace. Moreover, furnace 200 may be used in residential or commercialapplications.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 , furnace 200 includes aheat exchanger 220 that has a first heat exchanger end 225 coupled tointake manifold 230 and a second heat exchanger end 235 coupled to hotcollector box 240. Heat exchanger 220 may comprise a plurality of heatexchanger tubes 245. In some embodiments, a finned condensing heatexchanger 250 may extend from the hot collector box 240 to the draftinducer 205. However, generally, furnace 200 may be operated with orwithout a condensing heat exchanger as a “condensing” or“non-condensing” furnace, respectively.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the combustion air flowfollows a combustion air flow path (indicated by arrow 255) that may bein a direction beginning at the air/fuel mixing unit 260, extendingthrough various components to the draft inducer 205. The combustion airflow path 255 continues to an exhaust conduit 210 (shown in FIGS. 1 and2 ) that may connect with a flue pipe 215 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 )using the sealing assembly 100 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ).

In some embodiments, the combustion air flow described above may beintroduced into furnace 200 by a blower. This blower may be a draftinducer (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) when the blower is operating in aninduced draft mode and pulling the combustion air flow through furnace200 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ), or the blower may be a forced draftblower when the blower is operating in a forced draft mode and pushingthe combustion air flow through furnace 200. In the depictedembodiments, the draft inducer 205 is in fluid communication withcombustion air flow path 255 and is downstream of heat exchanger 220.Embodiments using a forced draft mode may be accomplished by placing ablower at the inlet of air/fuel mixing unit 260 and forcing the gas flowinto and through air/fuel mixing unit 260 and along combustion air flowpath 255.

As described above, an HVAC system including an indoor unit and anoutdoor unit may include furnace 200 as a component of the indoor unitthereof or as a separate and distinct unit in the HVAC system.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show example embodiments of the gasket 300 whichmay be utilized in the sealing assembly 100. In the depictedembodiments, the gasket 300 comprises a tubular body 305. A rim 310extends radially outward from the tubular body 305. The gasket 300 alsohas ears 315 that extend from the rim 310. These ears 315 are connectedto the rim a radial distance away from the tubular body 305. Theembodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-C further include a rib 320 extending fromeach ear 315. In addition, the depicted embodiments also include aninner lip 325 extending from an inner surface 330 of the tubular body305.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show one example of howthese components are oriented relative to each other. In the embodimentsshown, the rim 310 extends substantially perpendicularly from thetubular body 305. Each ear 315 extends from the rim 310 substantiallyperpendicularly and in the same direction as the tubular body 305. Eachear 315 also is attached to the rim 310 a distance away from where thetubular body 305 attaches to the rim 310. In the embodiments shown, theribs 320 extend substantially perpendicularly from each ear 315. Theinner lip 325 also extends substantially perpendicularly and inwardlyfrom the tubular body 305. In other embodiments, the tubular body mayconnect to the rim at an angle. In such embodiments, for example, thetubular body may flare outward (e.g., forming an angle less than 90°with respect to the rim) or inward (e.g., forming an angle greater than90° with respect to the rim) for a given application or joint. In someembodiments, one or more ears may extend from the rim at an angle in asimilar fashion. For example, in some embodiments one or more of theears may flare outward (e.g., forming an angle greater than 90° withrespect to the tubular body) or inward (e.g., forming an angle less than90° with respect to the tubular body). The rib(s) and/or the inner lipmay also extend in various ways. Similarly, the tubular body may extendpast the rim. Other configurations and orientations for these componentsare contemplated within the scope of the disclosure.

To walk through these components in more detail, the tubular body 305may be configured to engage the inner surface of a fluid conduit. Insome embodiments, this tubular body is used to form a seal between amale and female fluid conduit pipe. In the embodiments shown in FIGS.5A-C, the tubular body 305 is cylindrical in shape and includes aconstant thickness running the length of the tubular body 305. Thetubular body 305 also comprises a first tubular body end 335 and asecond tubular body end 340. Other configurations and orientations(e.g., rectangular, frustro-conical, varying thickness, etc.) for thetubular body are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the rim 310 extends radiallyfrom the first tubular body end 335 of the tubular body 305. In someembodiments, the rim is designed to extend from the tubular body 305 ata location past the end of a fluid conduit. In some embodiments, thetubular body may be located within the fluid conduit and the rim mayextend from the tubular body outward from the fluid conduit, past anouter surface of the fluid conduit. In the embodiments shown in FIGS.5A-C, the rim 310 has a continuous disk shape. In some embodiments, therim may only extend from a portion of the upper end of the tubular body.In some embodiments, the rim may vary in length, for example, the rimmay include projections where the rim extends outward a greater orlesser distance from the tubular body. Other configurations andorientations for the rim are contemplated within the scope of thedisclosure.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the gasket 300 further includesears 315 extending from the rim 310. In these embodiments, the gasket300 includes two ears 315, which are evenly spaced around the rim 310.Other embodiments may include more than two ears. In some embodiments,these ears may be spaced equidistant around the rim and/or the tubularbody. In other embodiments, the spacing of the ears may vary, includingspacing that is not equidistant. In still other embodiments, a singleear may be used.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the ears 315 extend the samedirection from the rim 310 as the tubular body 305. In theseembodiments, the ears 315 are spaced a distance apart from the tubularbody 305 radially on the rim. In the depicted embodiments, the ears 315extend substantially parallel to the tubular body 305. As noted,however, in other embodiments, the ears extend at an angle, eithertowards or away, from the tubular body. In the depicted embodiments, theears 315 extend the same distance from the rim 310 as the tubular body305. In other embodiments, however, the ears may extend a greater orlesser distance from the rim than the length of the tubular body.

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment where the ears 315 are tapered. In thedepicted embodiment, the ear 315 is shaped such that the widthcontinuously narrows from the rim 310 to the distal end 345. Inparticular, in the depicted embodiment, the width of the ear 315 at theproximal end 350 is the widest portion of the ear 315, and the widthdecreases from the proximal end 350 to the distal end 345 of the ear315. In another embodiment, the width of the ear may consistently widenfrom the proximal end to the distal end. In other embodiments, the earsmay remain at a substantially constant width for some or all of theirlength.

In one embodiment, the ears 315 include ribs 320. In the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 5A-C, the ribs 320 extend outwardly from the distal end345 of the ear 315. In the depicted embodiments, each ear 315 includes arib 320. In some embodiments, the rib may be located a distance awayfrom the distal end of the ear, and in some embodiments, a rib may onlybe included on certain ears. In further embodiments, two or more ribsmay be included on one or more of the ears. In some of theseembodiments, one of the ribs may be located on the distal end of an earand at least one other rib may be located a distance away from thedistal end. Other configurations and orientations of ribs and ears arecontemplated within the scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, such as the ones shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the gasket300 includes an inner lip 325. In the depicted embodiments, the innerlip 325 extends inwardly from the tubular body 305. In the depictedembodiments, the inner lip 325 extends from the second tubular body end340 of tubular body 305. In other embodiments, the inner lip may extendfrom other locations on tubular body. In some embodiments, the inner lipis configured to engage with the lower end of a male fluid conduit.

In some embodiments, the gasket 300 is made from an elastic material. Insome embodiments the gasket 300 is made from a deformable elastic (e.g.,thermoplastic vulcanizate) material rated for temperatures at least asgreat as 135° C.

FIGS. 10A-G show various views of an embodiment of a gasket, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 11A-G showvarious views of another gasket embodiment, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiments depicted in FIGS.11A-G include a beveled edge 355 connecting the tubular body 305 to therim 310. The embodiments of the gaskets depicted in FIGS. 10A-G andFIGS. 11A-G may include many of the features discussed above and may beconfigured in a similar manner.

FIG. 6 shows an example embodiment of the gasket 300 engaged with afluid conduit 400. The fluid conduit 400 may include a first fluidconduit end 405, potentially a fluid conduit outlet end, and a secondfluid conduit end 410, potentially a fluid conduit inlet end (notshown). The conduit may further include an inner surface 415 and anouter surface 420. The inner surface 415 of the fluid conduit 400 mayinclude a wall shelf 425. The outer surface 420 may also includeadditional features. These features may include a first conduitprotrusion 430 extending from the outer surface 420 and located adistance away from the first fluid conduit end 405. Some embodiments,such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 , may also include a secondconduit protrusion 435 that may be located proximal to the first fluidconduit end 405. The depicted embodiment also includes one or more axialslots 440 that may extend from the first fluid conduit end 405. Theseslots 440 may allow the diameter of the first fluid conduit end 405 ofthe fluid conduit 400 to adjust, potentially allowing the fluid conduit400 to engage and potentially form a seal with other components and/orconduits.

The fluid conduit 400 may be a rigid pipe or other device made of asuitable material and capable of directing fluid. In some embodiments,the fluid conduit 400, such as exhaust conduit 210, is made from amaterial having suitable strength to support other components, such as aflue pipe 215 as shown in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the fluid isair, potentially used in an HVAC application. In other embodiments, thefluid is a liquid, potentially water or a refrigerant. In someembodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fluidconduit 400 may be an elbow joint that forms an exhaust conduit 210 usedin a furnace exhaust assembly. In these embodiments, the fluid iscombustion air discharged from a gas-fired furnace 200. Other fluidconduits are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 6 (and FIGS. 8A and8B), the fluid conduit 400 includes a wall shelf 425, which is formedwhere the diameter of the inner surface 415 of the fluid conduit 400changes. In these embodiments, the diameter of the inner surface 415 ofthe fluid conduit 400 narrows to create the wall shelf 425. Here thediameter of the inner surface 415 proximal the first fluid conduit end405 before the shelf 425 is greater than the diameter of the innersurface 415 at or distal to the shelf 425 relative to the first fluidconduit end 405. Some embodiments may include an inner wall lip, wherethe inner surface maintains a consistent circumference on either side ofthe wall lip. Some embodiments do not include either a wall shelf or aninner wall lip.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 also includes conduit protrusions. Thedepicted embodiment shows a first conduit protrusion 430 extendingradially from the outer surface 420 and located an axial distance awayfrom the first fluid conduit end 405. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst conduit protrusion 430 extends circumferentially around the entireouter surface 420. In some embodiments, however, the first conduitprotrusion may extend for only a portion of the circumference of theouter surface. In some embodiments, two or more first conduitprotrusions may extend around the circumference of the outer surface atthe same axial distance away from the first end of the fluid conduit.The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 also shows a second conduit protrusion435 extending radially from the outer surface 420 and located proximalto the first fluid conduit end 405. In this embodiment, the secondconduit protrusion 435 extends around the outer surface 420. Thedepicted embodiment also includes axial slots 440 at the first fluidconduit end 405, and in this embodiment, the second conduit protrusion435 is discontinuous at these axial slots 440. The second conduitprotrusion may be configured in a variety of different ways similar tothose described in connection with the first conduit protrusions. Inaddition, the second conduit protrusions may be located at other axialdistances from the first fluid conduit end 405.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , thefirst and second conduit protrusions create a trough 450 in the outersurface 420 of the fluid conduit 400. This trough 450 may be configuredto allow components or other features of the device to be located andpotentially secured within the trough 450. In some embodiments, whereeither the first and/or the second conduit protrusion do not extend theentire circumference around the outer surface, the first and secondconduit protrusions may be aligned axially to form a trough. In otherembodiments, the fluid conduit may not include either a first or secondconduit protrusion. These embodiments may include a notch extendingradially inward from the outer surface. In these embodiments, the notchmay similarly form a trough in the outer surface of the fluid conduit.The disclosure contemplates more or less conduit protrusions and/ortroughs configured in various different manners.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes an axial slot 440. Someembodiments, however, may include a plurality of axial slots, and someembodiments may not include any axial slots. These axial slots 440 mayallow the first fluid conduit end 405 of the fluid conduit 400 to varyin diameter. This may allow the fluid conduit 400 to engage and/ordisengage with other fluid conduits. These axial slots may be configuredin various different shapes or forms. In addition, some embodiments mayvary the material at the first end of the fluid conduit to allow thediameter to change.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the gasket 300 engages with thefluid conduit 400 such that the tubular body 305 is engaged with atleast a portion of the inner surface 415 of the fluid conduit 400. Inthis embodiment, the second tubular body end 340 of the tubular body 305stops proximate the wall shelf 425 and, in particular, abuts the wallshelf 425. In some embodiments, the second tubular body end of thetubular body stops before the inner wall shelf. In the depictedembodiment, the first tubular body end 335 of the tubular body 305extends past the first fluid conduit end 420 of the fluid conduit 400,and, in particular, the rim 310 extends past the first fluid conduit end420 of the fluid conduit 400, extending from the inner surface 415 ofthe fluid conduit 400 to the outer surface 420 of the fluid conduit 400.In such a manner, the ears 315 extend from the rim 310 outside of thefluid conduit 400. In various embodiments, the ears 315 extend somedistance from the rim 310, and in this embodiment, the ears 315 extend adistance such that they may engage the first conduit protrusions 435. Inparticular, the ears 315 of the depicted embodiment extend a firstdistance from the rim 310 that is greater than or equal to the axialdistance the first conduit protrusion 435 is located from the firstfluid conduit end 405. In the depicted embodiment, the rib 320 extendsoutwardly from the ear 315 at the distal end 345 of the ear 315.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show embodiments that includes a pipe clamp 500 engagedwith an outer surface 317 of the gasket ears 315. In the depictedembodiments, the pipe clamp 500, which includes a clamp ring 505 and aclamp screw 510, secures the gasket 300 to the fluid conduit 400. Theclamp ring 505 includes a plurality of ring apertures 515 that areconfigured to engage with threads 520 of the clamp screw 510. The pipeclamp 500 also includes a screw holder 525 that fixes the location ofthe clamp screw 510 relative to one end of the clamp ring 505. The screwholder 525 houses the clamp screw 510 at this location. In thisembodiment, when the clamp screw 510 is turned (e.g., tightened orloosened) its location relative to the screw holder 525 remainsconstant, which also results a constant location of the screw relativeto one end of the clamp ring 505. Turning the clamp screw 510 results inthe screw threads 520 engaging the ring apertures 515, moving theopposite end of the clamp ring 505 in a given direction. This may resultin the tightening or loosening of the clamp ring, which may in turnresult in the clamp ring providing either a greater radial force whenthe clamp ring is tightened or a lesser radial force when the clamp ringis loosened. Other pipe clamps may be used within the scope of thisdisclosure such as zip ties or other devices.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the clamp ring 505 includesvisual indicators 530 near certain ring apertures 515. In the depictedembodiments, the visual indicators 530 may indicate the radial forceapplied by the clamp ring 505 when the clamp screw 515 engages one ormore ring apertures 515 at that location. In this embodiment, there aretwo visual indicators 530 each corresponding to a different radial forceapplied by the clamp ring 505 when the screw 510 engages the ringapertures 515 at the location of each visual indicator 530. In someembodiments, one of the visual indicators 530 corresponds to the radialforce necessary to secure the gasket 300 to the fluid conduit 400. Insome embodiments, one of the visual indicators 530 corresponds to radialforce necessary to seal the fluid conduit 400 to another fluid conduit.In some embodiments, the radial force desired to seal one fluid conduitto another fluid conduit is greater than the radial force desired toretain the gasket on the fluid conduit. Visual indicators 530 may be anytype of marking, such as colors and/or indicia, including, for example,drawings, symbols, text, numbers, etc., to indicate radial forceassociated with a particular setting of the pipe clamp.

FIGS. 7A and 7B, further show example embodiments of the pipe clamp 500engaged with the gasket 300 and the fluid conduit 400. In the depictedembodiments, the pipe clamp 500 engages with the outer surface 317 ofeach of the gasket ears 315. In particular, the pipe clamp ring 505engages with the outer surface 317 of the gasket ear 315 above the rib320, which may retain the pipe clamp 500 (and the gasket 300) in theaxial direction. The clamp ring 505 is also located between the firstand second conduit protrusions (430 & 435), and at this radial force itis located at least partially within the trough 450 defined betweenthese conduit protrusions. This configuration helps to secure the pipeclamp 500 axially on the fluid conduit 400, and because the pipe clamp500 is also engaged with the gasket 300, the gasket 300 is also securedaxially relative to the fluid conduit 400. The embodiment shown in FIG.7B illustrates the gasket ear 315 slightly bowing due to the radialforce applied by the pipe clamp 505. This bowing or deformation mayfurther secure the gasket 300 relative to the fluid conduit 400.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show example embodiments of the sealing assembly. Theseillustrations show cross-sections of this sealing assembly 100 and asealed joint 600. FIG. 8A shows an embodiment where the pipe clamp 500is at a given radial force that may be sufficient to secure the gasket300 in an uninstalled configuration. In this embodiment, the gasket ears315 are substantially straight because the radial force is notsufficient to cause the gasket ears 315 to deform or bow. FIG. 8B showsan embodiment where the pipe clamp 500 applies a greater radial force,potentially to seal a joint. In this embodiment the greater radial forceleads to the gasket ears 315 bowing into the trough 450 between thefirst and second conduit protrusions (430 & 435).

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8B, the gasket 300 provides a sealbetween several of the surfaces associated with the fluid conduit 400and a connected conduit 605. In some embodiments the sealed joint shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 between the exhaust conduit 210 and the flue pipe 215is the same or similar to the joint shown in FIG. 8B where the exhaustconduit 210 is analogous to the fluid conduit 400 and the connectedconduit 605 is analogous to the flue pipe 215. In the embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the tubular body 305 of the gasket 300 islocated within the inner surface 415 of the fluid conduit 400 engagingat least a portion of that surface. The tubular body 305 also may engageat least a portion of an outer surface 610 of the connected conduit 605as shown in FIG. 8B. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8B, the tubularbody 305 may form a seal between the inner surface 415 of the fluidconduit 400 and the outer surface 610 of the connected conduit 605. Insome embodiments, this seal is formed when the pipe clamp 500 applies anappropriate amount of radial force.

In the depicted embodiments, a second tubular body end 340 of thetubular body 305 abuts the wall shelf 425 of the fluid conduit, engagingthe fluid conduit 400 at that location as well. In the depictedembodiments, the second tubular body end 340 also includes an inner lip325 extending inwardly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, this innerlip 325 engages one end 615 of the connected conduit 605. This allowsthe gasket 300 to engage the fluid conduit 400 and the connected conduit605 at additional locations, potentially providing a greater seal.

In the depicted embodiments, the gasket 300 also includes featuresallowing it to engage with the pipe clamp 500 and remain secured to thefluid conduit 400 regardless of whether the joint is sealed or not. Inthe depicted embodiments, the gasket ears 315 include two ribs 320.Other embodiments may only include one rib (or another number of ribs)and may operate similarly. In the depicted embodiments, the pipe clamp500 engages each ear 315 between the two ribs 320. As shown in bothFIGS. 8A and 8B, the gasket 300 of the depicted the embodiments is sizedsuch that when the pipe clamp 500 engages the ears 315, the pipe clampis located between the first and second protrusions (430 and 435). Inthis configuration, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B the pipe clamp 500 mayengage the trough 450 between the first and second protrusions (430 and435) in areas of the trough not occupied by the gasket ears 315 even ifthe gasket ears 315 are not deformed. In addition, when the pipe clamp500 increases the amount of radial force applied, it may deform thegasket ears 315 causing them to bow within the trough 450 as shown inFIG. 8B, which may further secure the various components. In addition,as the pipe clamp 500 applies greater radial force it may secure andseal the fluid conduit 400 to the connecting member 605.

The sealing assemblies discussed herein can be used in multipledifferent devices and for various purposes. In some embodiments, asdiscussed herein, the sealing assemblies are used in a furnace, and inthese embodiments, the sealing assemblies may allow for an improvedprocess for testing and shipping the furnaces. For example, in someembodiments, a furnace utilizing one or more of the disclosed sealingassemblies is shipped to one or more locations prior to finalinstallation. This shipping may allow for the furnace and/or furnacecomponents to be tested prior to final installation. In someembodiments, the exhaust assembly in the furnace is tested. In someembodiments, this testing includes coupling and uncoupling the exhaustassembly to a discharge conduit for use during this testing, and in someembodiments, this coupling and uncoupling is performed via the sealingassembly. In some embodiments, during testing the sealing assembly iscoupled and uncoupled to the discharge conduit multiple times. In someembodiments, the sealing assembly is coupled and uncoupled once duringtesting. In some embodiments, after testing is completed, the furnace isshipped to a different location, potentially for installation, storage,or another purpose. In some embodiments, various components of thefurnace are removed after testing, potentially for shipping convenience.In some embodiments, this includes removing one or more of the sealingassemblies and shipping the sealing assemblies in a disconnectedconfiguration. FIG. 9 shows an example illustration of an exploded viewof the components used in the sealing assembly and described above,showing the fluid conduit, the gasket, and the pipe clamp in an explodedview.

In some embodiments, the process of testing and/or shipping impacts thecomponents of the sealing assembly. In some embodiments, these processescreate forces that could dislodge the gasket from the end of the fluidconduit and/or the sealing assembly as a whole. For example, in someembodiments, the forces occur during testing when a pipe (e.g., adischarge pipe, a flue pipe, etc.) is inserted into the assembly, whichmay result in a force directing the gasket into the fluid conduit withinthe sealing assembly. In addition, in some embodiments, when the pipe isremoved from the sealing assembly a force may direct the gasket out ofthe fluid conduit. In some embodiments, during shipping, multiple forcesimpact the sealing assembly and create forces that could lead to thegasket being dislodged from the end of the fluid conduit and/or thesealing assembly.

In the various embodiments discussed herein, the sealing assemblyincludes features that secure the gasket, including securing the gasketthrough the various shipping and testing processes discussed above. Forexample, as discussed above in some embodiments, the pipe clamp engageswith the gasket ears to secure the gasket to the fluid conduit. The pipeclamp may secure the gasket through radial force applied to the gasketears, which in some embodiments counteracts the various forces thatcould dislodge the gasket from the end of the fluid conduit. Inaddition, in some embodiments, the pipe clamp may engage with theconduit protrusion(s) and/or a trough formed on an outer surface of thefluid conduit, which may further secure the components of the sealingassembly together. In some embodiments, the radial force of the pipeclamp may cause the gasket ears to also engage with the conduitprotrusion(s) and/or a trough formed on an outer surface of the fluidconduit, which may further secure the components of the sealing assemblytogether. The radial force applied by the pipe clamp may also beadjusted in some embodiments, and as a result, the pipe clamp may beadjusted to account for the process or action the furnace undergoes,e.g., shipping, testing, operating, etc., and how that process or actionmay impact the sealing assembly.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thedisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing description and the associated figures. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificimplementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated figures describe example implementations in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative implementations without departing from thescope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing apparatus, comprising: a fluid conduitcomprising a first fluid conduit end and a second fluid conduit end; agasket engaged with the first fluid conduit end, the gasket comprising:a tubular body, at least a portion of which is engaged along an innersurface of the fluid conduit; a rim extending outwardly from a firsttubular body end, wherein a portion of the rim abuts the first fluidconduit end; and two or more ears extending from the rim in the samedirection as the tubular body and spaced therefrom; wherein each of theears further comprises a first rib located proximate a distal end of theear; and a pipe clamp engaged with an outer surface of the ears tosecure the gasket to the fluid conduit.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the fluid conduit is an exhaust conduit configured to be used ina furnace.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the exhaust conduit isconfigured to be coupled to an inducer blower within the furnace.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the rim extends substantiallyperpendicularly outwardly from the tubular body, the ears extendsubstantially perpendicularly from the rim and substantially parallel tothe tubular body, and the first rib of each ear extends substantiallyperpendicularly outwardly from the ear.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the ears extend substantially the same distance from the rim asthe tubular body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ears aretapered such that the width of each ear continuously narrows from therim to the distal end of the ear.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe tubular body comprises an inner lip extending inwardly from a secondtubular body end of the tubular body.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the gasket comprises a deformable elastic material rated fortemperatures at least as great as 135° C.
 9. A furnace, comprising: aburner, a heat exchanger, a blower configured to move combustion airthrough the heat exchanger; and an exhaust assembly in fluidcommunication with, and downstream of, the blower, the exhaust assemblycomprising: a flue pipe comprising a flue pipe inlet end and a flue pipeoutlet end; an exhaust conduit comprising an exhaust conduit inlet endand an exhaust conduit outlet end, the exhaust conduit formed from asubstantially rigid material suitable for supporting the weight of theflue pipe; a gasket engaged proximate to the exhaust conduit outlet endof the exhaust conduit and configured to form a seal between the exhaustconduit and the flue pipe, and a pipe clamp configured to secure theexhaust conduit around the flue pipe, wherein the gasket furthercomprises: a tubular body, wherein at least a portion of the tubularbody is engaged with an inner surface of the exhaust conduit and aportion of the tubular body is engaged with an outer surface of the fluepipe; a rim extending outwardly from a first tubular body end, wherein aportion of the rim surface abuts the exhaust conduit outlet end; and twoor more ears extending from the rim along an outer surface of theexhaust conduit, wherein each of the ears further comprises a first riblocated proximate a distal end of the ear; and wherein the pipe clamp isengaged with an outer surface of the ears to secure the gasket to theexhaust conduit.
 10. The furnace of claim 9, wherein an inner surface ofthe tubular body comprises an inner lip extending inwardly from a secondtubular body end of the tubular body.
 11. The furnace of claim 9,wherein the rim extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from thetubular body, the ears extend substantially perpendicularly from the rimand substantially parallel to the tubular body, and the first rib ofeach ear extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the ear.12. The furnace of claim 9, wherein the ears extend substantially thesame distance from the rim as the tubular body.
 13. The furnace of claim9, wherein the ears are tapered such that the width of each earcontinuously narrows from the rim to the distal end of the ear.
 14. Thefurnace of claim 9, wherein the pipe clamp applies a first force toretain the gasket on the exhaust conduit and the pipe clamp applies asecond force to maintain the seal between exhaust conduit and the fluepipe, the second force being greater than the first force.
 15. Thefurnace of claim 14, wherein the pipe clamp comprises a visual indictorthat provides an indication of the force applied by the pipe clamp. 16.The furnace of claim 9, wherein the exhaust conduit further comprises: afirst conduit protrusion extending from the outer surface of the exhaustconduit, wherein the first conduit protrusion is located a firstdistance from the exhaust conduit outlet end, and wherein the earsextend a second distance from the rim and the second distance is equalto or greater than the first distance, and wherein at least one ear isengaged with the first conduit protrusion.
 17. The furnace of claim 16,wherein the first conduit protrusion extends circumferentially aroundthe outer surface of the fluid conduit.
 18. The furnace of claim 17,further comprising a second conduit protrusion extending from the outersurface of the fluid conduit and aligned axially with the first conduitprotrusion, wherein the second conduit protrusion is located proximateto the exhaust conduit outlet end.